Reaching your community
Community inclusion means actively reaching out to all members of the local community, especially those who may need extra support, to ensure they are engaged and thriving. It involves creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, heard, and valued, regardless of their background, abilities, or circumstances. If done well, it can help transform lives.
Here are some key features of successful community inclusion:
Engagement and voice
Inclusive communities provide platforms for individuals to communicate their ideas, concerns, and needs. They encourage local people to get involved in decision-making processes and empower residents to voice their opinions on issues that affect them.
Collaboration and solutions
Inclusive communities foster collaboration among diverse groups of people to identify and address local challenges. By working together, communities can develop creative and effective solutions to problems that benefit everyone.
Empowerment and capacity building
Community inclusion empowers individuals by enhancing their personal capacities and skills. It gives opportunities for residents to take on leadership roles, contribute to community projects, and make a positive impact on their surroundings.
Support and connection
Inclusive communities support vulnerable individuals by connecting them with resources, services, and support networks. They ensure that everyone has access to the assistance they need to thrive and succeed.
Celebration of diversity
Inclusive communities celebrate diversity and recognise the unique contributions of each member. They promote understanding, respect, and appreciation for different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives.
The following sections have links to many groups in South Cambridgeshire. You can consult or include them in your project. You can also seem some case studies of successful community groups in South Cambridgeshire.
Case studies
Click on the links below to see case studies on reaching your community.
Cambourne sensory garden
The Sensory Garden at Cambourne Village College started in 2019, as part of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) School Gardening Awards and after-school gardening club.
How the garden benefits the local community
- encourages horticultural interests by including designs by students such as flowers, herbs, and vegetables and a mural
- engages volunteers from the local retired community, mentors from RHS and the University of Cambridge to guide the students
- teaches responsibility like building and maintaining the garden
- learning money management skills as the garden’s produce is sold to the local community
- increases wellbeing through connecting with nature and social events in the summer to showcase student’s achievements
- students gain valuable experience for their CVs and practice a wide range of skills
- nurtures social responsibility so that the students go on to look after other areas of the town
For more information contact Cambourne Village College.
Shelford and Stapleford Youth Initiative - Copse Community project
The Shelford and Stapleford Youth Initiative (SSYI) in collaboration with Great Shelford Playscape, started the Copse#2 project in 2017, aiming to improve an abandoned copse area within the Great Shelford Recreation Ground.
At first, this effort involved transforming the space into an outdoor play area by putting in willow structures, benches, and landscaping features.
With the aid of a £7,681 grant, the project expanded further in 2021. This created permanent play dens, new pathways, greenery, and equipment. This has helped to create a natural play space and woodland trail so young people can engage with nature.
The space is intended for people of all ages offering a space for walkers to enjoy nature while exercising.
Balsham Good Neighbour Scheme
What is a Good Neighbour Scheme?
- these are community-run initiatives connecting people in need with willing volunteers
- it’s about local people helping their neighbours to enjoy a better quality of life
- can be set up by various community groups like voluntary organisations, resident groups, or a parish or town council
- they help to reduce isolation, creating a space where people feel safe and secure
- help might include changing bulbs, hanging a picture, offering some company, collecting prescriptions, help with form filling and much more for free
- some schemes provide transport where it's unavailable which is usually free but there might be a small charge for mileage
- check your local area to see if there is a community transport scheme
- setting up a scheme helps build local connections which is useful in an emergency like extreme weather. Volunteers will be able to give help to residents who need more support in emergencies like extreme weather. Residents and volunteers can get involved in developing a community-led plan.
How Balsham Good Neighbour Scheme got started
- started from the work of Steve Jordan who was part of the local parish nurse scheme helping to support non-medical needs of residents
- an online survey was created to understand resident needs which was published in the local village magazine
- results of the survey showed that people wanted support with having regular befrienders, help with transport, form filing, reading, emergency meals, and breaks for Carers
Advice and guidance for setting up
- research carried out showed a good model in the Rural Community Council of Essex.
- Steve contacted other groups in Cambridgeshire to learn from their experience. This helped Steve to get the right documents in place such as creating a health and safety policy, registration forms and volunteer handbooks – which are also needed for fundraising and grant applications.
You can contact the Balsham Good Neighbors scheme by emailing balshamgns@gmail.com
Setting up your own local Good Neighbour scheme
Care Network Cambridgeshire gives advice on how to get started, sample documentation, volunteer management, safety checks, and more.
They can also advise on:
- recruiting and retaining volunteers
- administration of the scheme
- running a committee
- Insurance and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
- keeping people safe – safeguarding
- how to resolve problems
- producing publicity
- policy and procedures
- data protection and confidentiality
Contact Care Network Cambridgeshire on 01954 211919 or via email on admin@care-network.org.uk
Funding for Good Neighbour schemes
- Cambridgeshire County Council offers a £2000 start-up grant through the 'Innovate and Cultivate Fund' to cover the first 2 years of a Good Neighbor scheme. Apply for this through the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation.
- Community Chest Grants provide up to £2000 for projects that help improve lives in South Cambridgeshire.
Reaching and supporting adults and families in your community
The Youth In Communities Service helps grow youth programs in Cambridgeshire. Key feature are that it is:
- led by communities
- delivered by effective partnerships
- informed and enjoyed by young people
- provided for by youth and community professionals and small project teams across Cambridgeshire
Helping young people take part in their communities and recognising their contributions is an important way to reach and support them. This can be done by:
- volunteering
- meaningful social action
- speaking out and having a voice
- engaging in positive activities that supports their development, emotional health and wellbeing
Romsey Mill is a Christian charity in Cambridge that works with children, young people, and families, helping many with significant life challenges.
The Community ARC is an activities and resource hire centre in Cambridgeshire. It helps clubs and organisations by providing resources at affordable prices.
Cambs Youth Panel advises councils, political leaders and many others to improve the region.
Reaching and supporting adults and families in your community
- Cambridgeshire Child and Family Centres offers events, activities, and courses for families with children aged 0-19. These take place in libraries, churches and other community locations across the county.
- Encompass Network provides support for LGBTQ+ individuals in Cambridgeshire.
- Cambourne Crescent is a local Islamic Charitable Trust set up to fulfil the social and spiritual needs of local Muslims
- Beth Shalom is the largest Jewish congregation in East Anglia, with the synagogue having a wide mixture of members
- Cambridge Gurdwara acts as a focal point for the Sikh community in Cambridge
- Cambridgeshire Older People's Network represents the older people of Cambridge, making sure their voice is heard